by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

by Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports

The Western Conference is essentially the 100-point club. Six or seven of the eight playoff teams will top that mark this season.

The No. 8 team could end up with 95 to 97 points.

There has been no fun in the sun for teams traveling to California this season with the Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks all playing well at home. Over the past 10 games, those three teams have combined for a record of 21-6-3

The St. Louis Blues, Anaheim, San Jose, Chicago Blackhawks, Colorado Avalanche and Los Angeles seem to have the top six spots sewn up. Here is how the race for No. 7 and No. 8 looks going into the final month of the season:

Minnesota Wild

Story: The Wild were aggressive at the trade deadline (adding Ilya Bryzgalov and Matt Moulson) in the name of preserving their invitation to the postseason party.

Weakness: The team still struggles to score goals, ranking 27th in the league. They rank second-to-last in hits.

Forecast: The Wild are not an elite team. But they have elite survival skills; they know how to keep every game close. They are extremely comfortable playing one-goal games. No one is catching the Wild for the No.7 seed.

Dallas Stars

Story: The deadline day trade for Tim Thomas looks big now as the Stars have to deal with Kari Lehtonen's injury.

Strength: The Canucks - the Sedins, Kesler, Alex Edler, Dan Hamhuis, Kevin Bieksa, Chris Higgins, Jason Garrison, etc. - have a roster that should be a playoff team

Weakness: The Canucks rank second to last in the league in goals per game. Their power play ranks 28th.

Forecast: The Canucks will miss the playoffs and there will be major changes in Vancouver. GM Mike Gillis and coach John Tortorella both seem in jeopardy of losing their jobs and major trades are expected.

Winnipeg Jets

Story: Coach Paul Maurice's hiring put the Jets back in the playoff race.